Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs
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Syllabus: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Context
An Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent departed today, for participating in Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23 a biennial multilateral tri-service exercise scheduled to be held at Cairo (West) Air Base, Egypt from 27 August to 16 September 2023.
BRIGHT STAR-23
- It is a biennial multinational military exercise hosted by Egypt.
- The participating forces will conduct a variety of exercises, including ground combat, air operations, naval operations, and special operations.
- BRIGHT STAR is one of the largest and most complex multinational military exercises in the world.
- It is a testament to the strong security cooperation between Egypt and the United States, and between Egypt and other countries in the region.
- The exercise will involve over 8,000 troops from 34 countries, including the United States, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Qatar, India, Italy, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
- The exercise also highlights India’s growing military cooperation with the United States and other countries in the region.
The objectives of BRIGHT STAR-23 are to:
- Enhance interoperability between the participating forces
- Improve joint planning and execution of operations
- Promote regional stability and security
India’s Participation
- This is the first time that India will be participating in BRIGHT STAR.
- The Indian Air Force will be sending a contingent of five MiG-29 fighter jets, two IL-78 air refueling tankers, two C-130 transport aircraft, and two C-17 transport aircraft.
- The Indian Army will also be sending a contingent of approximately 150 personnel.
BRIGHT STAR is one of the largest and most complex multinational military exercises in the world. It is a testament to the strong security cooperation between Egypt and the United States, and between Egypt and other countries in the region. The exercise also highlights India’s growing military cooperation with the United States and other countries in the region.
India and Egypt
India and Egypt have had exceptional relationship and deep cooperation wherein the two jointly undertook development of aero-engine and aircraft in 1960s and training of Egyptian pilots was done by Indian counterparts.
The relationship between the two civilizational countries was further strengthened with the recent visits by Chief of Air Forces of the two countries and Indian Defence Minister and Prime Minister to Egypt.
The two countries have also enhanced their joint training with regular exercises between their Armed Forces.
